NORFOLK -- During major rain storms, people in Larchmont watch the flood waters rise.
"It's getting old, it's getting real old," said Bill Sawyer, a long-time resident. "Most of the time it's just a pain in the neck."
Sawyer's home suffered about $15,000 in damage from Hurricane Isabel and $10,000 from the November Nor'easter.
After years of cleaning up flooding damage, Sawyer wants a permanent solution. He's planning to apply for a FEMA grant to raise his home.
"It's fascinating to watch them do it," said Sawyer.
He's watched several other homes in his neighborhood get raised.
"They raise it up and put a new foundation under it and lower it back down and get everything hooked up," he explained.
In the past 5 years, FEMA has paid $5 million to raise 29 homes in Norfolk.
On Tuesday, city council approved a $176,000 grant for a home on Richmond Crescent in the Larchmont neighborhood.
To qualify for the grant, the homeowner must live in a flood zone, have flood insurance and have suffered from flood damage. FEMA makes the final decision based on past damages and how much it will cost to raise the home. Last year, three out of the 15 applications were accepted.
"The qualifications are very specific when it comes to the federal government," said City of Norfolk spokesman Bob Batcher. "I think to the 30 people who have gone through the program they're going to say it's a success. To the ones who didn't qualify, they're going to be wanting more."
Kevin Muehleib is living in a home that was raised. He said it was a relief during the November Nor'easter.
"A little bit of water came into the foundation, but since it's raised, it didn't cause any problems," he noted.
Sawyer says if he doesn't qualify for the FEMA grant, he may leave his neighborhood of 22 years behind.
"It's either that or we'll move," said Sawyer. "My wife and I are about ready to move. We're getting too old for this."
The next application period for the FEMA grants is October 2010.
